Bus Accident Attorneys in Reading, PA
A bus accident claim isn’t just a larger version of a car accident case. Depending on whether the bus was operated by BARTA, a private carrier, a school district, or a commercial coach company, the liability rules, procedural requirements, and defendants involved can differ significantly. At Liever, Hyman & Potter, we’ve handled wrongful injury and death claims exclusively since 1959, making us the longest-established local motor vehicle injury law firm. Our four attorneys have devoted virtually all of their combined 115-plus years of practice to this single category of law. No real estate, no contracts, no other case types.
Bus accidents routinely produce catastrophic injuries. The vehicles are large, transit buses often lack seatbelts, and victims on the other side frequently find themselves up against transit authorities or bus companies with in-house legal teams and adjusters whose job is to limit what they pay out.
If you were injured in a bus accident in the Reading area, call Liever, Hyman & Potter at (610) 885-1991 for a free consultation. There are no fees and no case expenses until we recover money for you.
BARTA, Private Carriers, & Who Can Be Held Liable
BARTA (Berks Area Regional Transportation Authority) has provided public bus transportation throughout Reading and Berks County since 1973, with its hub at the BARTA Transportation Center at 7th and Cherry streets in downtown Reading. When a BARTA bus is involved in your accident, the claim isn’t filed the same way as one against a private company. Government-operated transit systems carry additional procedural requirements under Pennsylvania’s sovereign immunity framework, and missing an early deadline can permanently affect your ability to recover.
The range of potentially liable parties in a bus crash extends beyond the driver. Liability may fall on the bus company or transit authority, a vehicle maintenance contractor, a parts manufacturer, another negligent motorist, or a government agency responsible for road conditions. Under the doctrine of respondeat superior, a bus company can be held responsible for a driver’s negligent conduct when it occurs in the course of employment. Bus drivers also carry a heightened standard of care as common carriers under Pennsylvania law.
Evidence disappears fast after a bus crash. Surveillance footage from the vehicle and nearby businesses, electronic data recorder logs, driver inspection reports, and maintenance records can all become unavailable if action isn’t taken quickly. At Liever, Hyman & Potter, we carefully review each case and assign it to a Civil Trial attorney qualified to handle it.
Deadlines That Apply to Bus Accident Claims
Pennsylvania’s personal injury statute of limitations is two years from the date of the accident under 42 Pa.C.S. section 5524. Missing that window typically bars recovery entirely. But when the bus is operated by a government entity, a separate and shorter deadline applies: under 42 Pa.C.S. section 5522, written notice of the claim must be filed with the agency within six months of the accident. Failing to meet that earlier deadline can end the case against that entity before it begins.
Pennsylvania’s sovereign immunity framework also limits what you can recover from a government entity. The applicable cap depends on the legal classification of the defendant. Claims against the Commonwealth under the Sovereign Immunity Act are capped at $250,000 per person and $1,000,000 per incident. Claims against local government agencies, such as a regional transit authority, are governed by the Political Subdivision Tort Claims Act, which caps total damages at $500,000 per occurrence. Neither cap applies to claims against private bus companies. Pennsylvania’s 51% comparative negligence rule means an injured person may still recover if they’re found less than 51% at fault, though their recovery is reduced by their share of responsibility. In a fatal bus accident, wrongful death claims carry their own two-year filing period beginning from the date of death. These are general legal summaries. Your specific situation may be governed by additional rules, and you should discuss the deadlines that apply to your case with counsel promptly.
Why Local Victims Turn to Liever, Hyman & Potter
When every attorney at a firm handles only wrongful injury and death claims, that focus isn’t just a marketing point. Every resource, every argument, and every hour billed goes toward clients in situations like yours. In a recent three-year period, our attorneys recovered more than 500 awards and settlements, including numerous million-dollar and multi-million-dollar results. Since 1959, we’ve won thousands of awards and settlements for victims and their families in the Reading area, more than any other firm located in the Berks and Schuylkill County area.
Lead attorney John R. Badal has been admitted to the Pennsylvania bar since 1978 and to the U.S. Supreme Court since 1991, and has devoted his entire career to representing wrongful injury victims. He holds national recognition as a member of both the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, memberships tied to documented case results at those dollar thresholds. He has also served as Chairman of multiple sections of the Berks County Bar Association, including the Civil Litigation Section and the Workers’ Compensation Section.
A significant portion of our clients come to us through referrals from other law firms, satisfied former clients, and community members. Within the legal community, that reputation has earned us the distinction of being called “The Lawyers’ Lawyers.”
Start with a Free Consultation
Bus accident cases involving government-operated transit can move on a six-month notice deadline, much shorter than most victims expect. The sooner you speak with an attorney, the more options remain open. Liever, Hyman & Potter offers free consultations, and you won’t owe fees or advanced case expenses unless we recover money for you.
Call us at (610) 885-1991 to tell us what happened.
What Our Clients Say
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Working with Liever, Hyman & Potter Law Firm was an excellent experience from start to finish.Christie
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Andrew Fick and his team helped me with everything I needed in pursuing a personal injury case.Carlos A.
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I would highly recommend Liever, Hyman & Potter.Vanessa S.
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Andy Fick and his Liever, Hyman & Potter team fought hard for me.David D.
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He is a well-spoken and passionate attorney who actually cares about his clients.jeffrey r.
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He has always been responsive and professional, taking the time to review my issues.Howard J.
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Not only are the attorneys at this firm dedicated in obtaining successful results, more importantly, they also care about the personal well-being and health of their clients.Kevin B.
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Attorney John Badal represented me and did an outstanding job. The firm is very honest and upfront and does not blow smoke.Roxanne M.
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John went above and beyond to help me.Sean B.
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Between Stacey (paralegal) and Mike, they kept me up to date with emails, phone calls, and in-person meetings; making the entire process seamless.Blayne H.
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Andy gets the job done; he went above and beyond, exceeding my expectations.Nancy K.
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Everyone was thorough, professional, and supportive.Wendy B.
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My friend was impressed by the firm's compassion and genuine concern for his son's well-being.SARA P.
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The professionals of Liever, Hyman & Potter have a robust team of professionals who vigorously and diligently advocate.Adam N.
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Contacted me back very quickly, very professional.P N.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What Kind of Lawyer Do I Need?
The legal world is a complicated environment with countless nuances to take into account. As a result, there is a wide range of specialized attorneys dedicated to specific legal areas, such as criminal lawyers who handle criminal defense. With so many fields, it can be difficult to determine which kind of lawyer is best suited for your circumstances. If you call Liever, Hyman & Potter, P.C. and offer an overview of your situation, then they can help narrow down what kind of personal injury lawyer is best suited to handle your case. Our law firm was founded in 1959 and is knowledgeable in numerous areas of personal injury law.
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Do I Need a Personal Injury Lawyer?
After sustaining a severe injury, you will need to pay medical bills for treatment, potentially miss time at work, and experience pain and suffering. With a qualified and skilled lawyer’s assistance, it is possible for you to receive fair and full compensation for these damages. A knowledgeable attorney will increase your chances of reaching an acceptable settlement agreement and receiving more compensation than you would on your own. Additionally, personal injury lawyers can help settle a liability dispute to determine who is responsible for an accident.
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How Will I Know I Have a Case?
No one has to make this important decision by themselves. Contact Liever, Hyman & Potter, P.C., and set up a free consultation to go over your situation in detail. Our attorneys will be able to identify who you can sue and what you can expect to gain based on the facts of the accident and the laws in Pennsylvania. In most scenarios, you’ll have a case if it can be proven that someone acted carelessly and caused injuries. Applying this standard is more complex than it may initially appear, which is why it is important to consult us.
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When to Call a Lawyer After a Car Accident?
If you’ve sustained severe injuries in a car accident, you should reach out to a lawyer shortly after the crash takes place. Not only will a professional car accident attorney help you gather vital evidence before it is lost to help your case, but they can also handle communications with your insurance company and deal with the careless driver’s insurance company.
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What Should I Do if an Attorney or Insurance Adjuster Calls Me?
You should never speak with insurance adjusters for someone else involved in the accident. While they may sound friendly and sympathetic to your case, they are almost certainly trying to get statements from you that would reduce or eliminate the liability of their insured. This is also true when an attorney for another person contacts you.
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How to File a Medical Malpractice Lawsuit?
As previously mentioned, filing a medical malpractice lawsuit starts with contacting a lawyer. However, it is crucial that we have sufficient information before filing the claim because malpractice claims can be significantly more complicated than other lawsuits. Our dedicated attorneys will collect all of your medical records and thoroughly review them.
Your medical malpractice attorney must determine whether the case warrants a lawsuit before they file with the court. If we do go forward, we will rely on highly qualified doctors who will be able to explain why you or your loved one were wrongfully harmed by medical treatment.